I ask Ella, "What did you mean by the sacred forest is being destroyed?" "My lord, a swarm of wyverns are attacking the sacred forest again and again." Ella says with worried voice. I say, "Tell me everything."
Based on what Ella told, a huge number of Wyverns has been attacking the sacred forest for couple of days. They attacks the dark elves in the afternoon and leaves before the evening. In the meantime they massacre the village of dark elves. Dark elves are doing their best but the casualties are emptying the village. They are asking for help from outsiders but no one even The High Elves are refusing to help. Today the king of dark elves sends his messenger bird to Ella to notify what's going on there and ordering her to bring warriors as many as possible.
That's odd. Those birds called wyvern are somewhat brainless. They neither can cordinate their attack nor can choose a time shift to attack the place again and again. They never attack the same place twice. And they don't leave the place before destroying everything and killing everyone. Something suspicious is going on.
I say, "Ella, bring Adriana. We are leaving now." "Thank you, my lord." Ella leaves in hurry. I meet the king and informed him that we are leaving.
After leaving the castle, Ella says, "My lord, I think I can get us the sacred forest by shadow travel." Traveling through shadow! "Can you do that?" I ask with curiousity. "Yes, my lord. Thanks to your blessing, I am overflowing with magical energy. I can cast high level dark magic now. And since it is nighttime, shadow travel is easy for me." Ella says with excitement. "Alright Ella, we are counting on you." I say with a smile.
Ella cut her right hand's pinky finger with her teeth and drop a blood on the ground saying,
"Oh Shadow! Be my carriot,
And take me where I desire."
A circle of shadow appears where we are standing and quickly cover us like a shadow sphere. After a few seconds, the shadow vanishes. And we find ourselves in front of a forest. Judging by the magical energy coming out of this forest, I can surely say it's the sacred forest.
Adriana exclaims with shock, "The Sacred Forest is almost 8 days distance from the Solvaris Kingdom. How could we travel so fast!" Ella says, "Shadow travel needs a connected shadows to travel and a huge amount of magical energy. I've been given the magical energy when my lord blessed me. And it's a night of new moon, every place is covered by shadow. So I can easily travel anywhere I've been before." "Now, let's meet with the king of dark elves. Lead the way Ella." I say. Ella replies, "As you wish, my lord."
After walking for sometime, we arrive at the village of dark elves, Umbravelle.
The village lightened by light magic. Which kind of irony to me. Homes are built from obsidian wood and petrified roots. Dark elves are looking at us stranglely.
A tall dark elf comes to us. The messenger bird flies from Ella and sits on left shoulder of him. Ella and Adriana immediately kneel before him. So, this is the king of dark elves? The king says, "Ella, I told you to brought warriors as many as possible. You've just brought two! You know, how many of us are dead? You are still good for nothing." Should I poke his head? Ella says, "Your highness, my lord Ryu himself is enough for thousands of Wyverns." The king chuckles and says, "So you are serving a weak human now? Pathetic!"
I could sense that, Ella and Adriana is going to attack on the king. I extend my hand and give them a sign not to do that. And say, "Your Majesty, we are only here for hunting the Wyverns. After that we will leave with the rewards. If we are enable to hunt all of the Wyverns, you can make us as some sacrificial pawns." The king says, "I sure will. But first, kneel before the king." "I don't kneel before just anyone." I reply. The king's expression changes. He says, "I will make you." "By all means." I say with a smile. The king releases a huge amount of dark magical energy. Everyone around us immediately kneels. But for me, that little amount of magical energy is equals to nothing. Frustrated king use gravity pressure. Again nothing for me. I couldn't have A proper sleep. So, I just yawn. Angry king uses more magical energy now. I say, "Seriously! This is the best you can do? That's why those birds called wyvern are treating your people as foods." The king lost himself in anger, and says, "What did you...."
"Stop, your highness!", a voice shouts from behind. The king stops his gravity pressure. A female dark elf comes at us. I guess she is the queen of dark elves. She says, "I am the queen of dark elves, Selentha Nyr'Vael. And this is the king of dark elves Vael'Zarith Mor'Dun. Welcome to Umbravelle. Please come and stay at our guest house. You will be informed about Catastrophe named Wyverns in the morning." She sure is royal unlike someone.
I look at Ella and ask, "Do you want to visit your home?" "No, my lord. I will visit my home after proving my strengths." Ella replies. "Alright then, let's rest at the guest house tonight." I say with a smile.
We are provided with two rooms. One for me and another one for Ella and Adriana. Not much of a fancy though. Just simple regular room with a bed.
In the morning, we get to know the brief of the attack of Wyverns. This swarm contains more than fifty wyvern. They come in a fixed time in the afternoon and start attacking the dark elves. Just before the evening, they collect dead dark elves and leave. Almost one hundred dark elves lost their lives and twenty more are injured.
Yes, this is certainly odd. Wyverns usually don't take foods back to their home. They eat where they hunt. Let's wait and see what is happening to those birds.
In the afternoon, Ella is talking about how kind the queen is. Suddenly, a dark elf shouts "Wyverns are coming!" Dark elves quickly prepare themselves for the battle.
A swarm of wyverns starts circling above the village. They are scaning the area. When did they grow brains?
Hearing the command of Vael'Zarith, dark elves start attacking with dark magic "Shadow Dart". Throwing Knife shaped shadow towards the Wyverns. Damage is equal to none.
I look at Ella. She is already looking at me. "Bring those birds down, Ella." I say with a smile. "As your wish, my lord." Ella says proudly.
Ella extends her right hand towards the sky and closes her eyes. Ella wishpers,
"By the silence of the Shadow
By the breath of the dead,
For I who command you...
Obey me Heartpiercer of the Void"
Instantly more than 20 Shadow Spear appears in front of Ella. When Ella makes a fist on her right hand. Those Shadow Spears hurl towards Wyverns. 14 Wyverns get killed and fall down. Every dark elves including Vael'Zarith are shocked by seeing Ella's power.
Ella repeats her spell again. Adriana says, "My lord, let me fight too." "Sure." I say with a smile. Adriana summons Vulthara. Vulthara starts attacking with fire magic.
Soon after only Wyvern leader remains. He is surely tough for Ella and Vulthara. They can't pierce his skin at all. That's weird! Is he enchanted with magic ?
Suddenly, the Wyvern leader closes his mouth and prepare to attack his best offensive attack, Poison Breathe. Though it's pointless for me. But even Ella and Adriana will be in danger.
I hit the ground with my left leg. Which let me jump high enough to be face to face of the Wyvern leader. Then I kick his head with a little strength, tearing it clean off his body. The severed head gets flung far away, spinning through the air. And the headless body falls on the ground.
I active Levitation magic. Something is wrong. That Wyvern leaders eyes were dark purple Which is unusual. Was he being controlled by someone?
Suddenly, my senses scream. I try to move away, but before I can even twitch, a powerful force hits my right flank. I slam hard to the ground.
"Look what we have here! A Urthgard!" A deep voice speaks. I use all of my remaining strengths to turn. A man is standing beside me. He is wearing a black dress. His eyes are dark purple. And his smile is the most menacing thing I've seen until now. I try to speak but no word comes out of my mouth. That man bends towards me and says, "Why have you brought your tail in my plan, kid? Whatever, I'll find a more effective way to fulfill my desire. Just don't get in my way next time. Otherwise, there won't be a next time." Then, He jumps and vanishes into the sky.
Before I lost my consciousness, I realise that, He is not a human, He is a Shadow Dragon.